Sunset Beach vacation rentals

Experience Sunset Beach at vacation home rentals

Trade the hustle and bustle of Myrtle Beach for its laid-back neighbor to the north. A seaside town on North Carolina's southern coast, Sunset Beach is known for its quiet, residential neighborhoods, it's sandy beaches, and a vast wealth of preserved natural beauty. Summer visitors flock to the area for its low-key charm, and you can find everything from fishing and boating to wineries and funky art installations. With a central Sunset Beach vacation rental, you'll be close to local landmarks like the Ingram Planetarium and the sprawling wetlands of the Bird Island Preserve.

Attractions near Sunset Beach vacation rentals

After a day of fun in the sun, you'll find there's lots to see around your Sunset Beach vacation rental. Science and nature lovers can explore the galaxy at the Ingram Planetarium, or check out the area's rich natural history at the Museum of Coastal Carolina in nearby Ocean Isle Beach. Then, head to the Kindred Spirit Mailbox on Bird Island. This beachfront installation features a single mailbox with a journal, where visitors have been leaving personal notes and reveries for 30 years. You can look out over the Atlantic and compose your own entry to add to the collection.

Things to do near Sunset Beach vacation homes

Sunset Beach is an ocean lover's paradise, and it's not hard to see why. With its broad, sandy coastline, visitors flock to the area for its bounty of waterfront activities, and you'll find plenty of outfitters offering kayaks, fishing charters, and jetski rentals. The Intracoastal Waterway runs through town, offering a protected lagoon for fishing and boating. Bird-watching at the nearby – and aptly named – Bird Island Preserve is a popular pastime, and you can spot everything from pelicans and ibis to loggerhead turtles amid the more than 13,000 acres of dunes and marshland.

Day trips from Sunset Beach vacation rentals

Sunset Beach is the ideal base camp to see the sights of Myrtle Beach. Vacation rentals are close to places like Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach, a marine life attraction with dive tours, live shows, and unique marine life in naturalistic habitats, and Family Kingdom Amusement Park, a beachfront amusement and water park with rides, slides, and games. You'll also like the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenade, a lively promenade near the beach with shops and restaurants, and the Hollywood Wax Museum, a museum outpost with celebrity wax figures, a souvenir store, and a mirror maze.

Climate for your stay in Sunset Beach vacation homes

Like most of the state, Sunset Beach has a humid subtropical climate, which means dry, mild winters and hot, humid summers with plenty of rainfall. Summers are decidedly warm, with regular storms and average highs around 89 degrees in July and August. Winters are cooler, and hover just above freezing between December and February. The toasty summer months are popular with visitors, and Sunset Beach vacation rentals tend to be at their priciest during this season. But the relatively warm winters mean you can score some pleasant, waterfront real estate without the high price tag.

Sunset Beach _ and the sand played on

Unlike the more populous cities of the "Grand Strand" to the south, Sunset Beach still has a relaxed landscape that's more rural than urban. The town is made up of 2 sections, with a large barrier island separated from the mainland by the calm waters of the Intracoastal Waterway. You'll find plenty of marshy wetlands along the inlet, and the island itself offers sandy beaches and a fishing pier that extends 900 feet into the Atlantic Ocean. The island's also home to a 13,000-acre bird sanctuary, where you can observe pelicans, gulls, and several species of migratory birds.

Transportation to and around Sunset Beach

The nearest airport is in Wilmington Intl. Airport (ILM), located 43.8 mi (70.5 km) from the city center. If you're unable to find a flight that fits your schedule, you could book a flight to Myrtle Beach Intl. Airport (MYR), which is 27.1 mi (43.7 km) away.

Family attractions near Sunset Beach vacation homes

Sunset Beach has an array of kid-friendly places to explore on a family trip. Vacation homes are available near places like Sunset Beach Park, a waterfront park with oak trees, a fishing pier, and a veterans’ memorial, and Waties Island, an unspoiled barrier island with rich flora and fauna on quiet beaches. Kids will also like the Swamp Park, an outdoor amusement park with ropes courses, zip lines, and eco tours.